International decade for natural disaster reduction

The adoption of the 1990s as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction was carried by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 44/236, 22 December, 1989. The objective of the decade is to reduce loss of life, property damage and social and economic disruption caused by natural disasters. At a national level, the IDNDR resolution calls for all governments to formulate national disaster mitigation programs, integrating a range of economic, land use and insurance policies into their national development programs.

The United Nations system is urged to accord priority to natural disaster preparedness, prevention, relief and short-term recovery, including economic damage risk assessment in their operational activities.